Indian consulate attacked in Afghanistan; two terrorists killed

Kabul: A group of armed men late yesterday attacked the Indian consulate in Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of Northern Balkh province, the Provincial Governor spokesperson told media.
Officials said attackers have taken up positions inside a residential home located in front of the Indian mission and are firing on the consulate.

“The number of  attackers were 4, two of them killed but not confirmed by police yet,” a leading news agency said in a tweet. “Two attackers were killed in fighting after insurgents attacked  Indian consulate in Mazarisharif city,” it said in an earlier  tweet.

In a series of tweets, news agency earlier said: “Police confirmed blast in gun fires in PD4 near to #Indian consulate in #Afghanistan’s Mazar-i-Sharif city.”

The report said it was not immediately clear whether the consulate was directly targeted, as the area also has a building belonging to a local politician.

Indian diplomatic missions in Afghanistan have come under militant attacks earlier too. In 2008 and 2009, the embassy in Kabul was attacked, leaving dozens dead.

In May 2014, gunmen attacked the Indian consulate in Herat, while in August 2013, nine civilians died when the consulate in Jalalabad was targeted.